Hi - I am a first-time user.
I recently had the chance to try an XPS2 with my CDX2 & can confirm the improvement is very substantial. A while ago there were some posts about diy construction of a naim XPS. Just wondering if anyone built one, and if they'd like to share any tips?
Voltages (+/-22v, +/-10v, +15, +15) and Burndy pin-out seem to be common knowledge. Looking at a picture of the inside of an XPS (e.g. http://www.acoustica.org.uk/t/naim/powersupplies.html ) it really doesn't look like £2.5k's worth - just a big torroidal transformer, but otherwise standard parts. Not sure what's different about an XPS2.
I was thinking of building one, erring on the side of a bit more over-engineering than used in the real XPS2, but would appreciate any views on the following:
1/Transformers - I have heard that torroidals arn't always the best choice for low-power audio applications because their wide bandwidth lets high-freq mains noise come streaming through. Any views on best choice? I was thinking along the lines of some off-the-shelf non-torroidals, perhaps having to use 2 or 3 separate transformers as its unlikely I'd find enough windings of the right voltages on just one.
2/Rectifiers - I've heard Schottky types are best, but is this simply overkill for this application? (I would need possibly 16!) Would conventional bridge rectifiers be much different?
3/Ordinary cheapo regulators or super-regulators? Would the latter be over-kill, seeing as the CD player re-regulates internally using standard parts? Which rails would most benefit from a super-regulator
4/Electrolytics - how big?
Any tips most gratefully received....
I recently had the chance to try an XPS2 with my CDX2 & can confirm the improvement is very substantial. A while ago there were some posts about diy construction of a naim XPS. Just wondering if anyone built one, and if they'd like to share any tips?
Voltages (+/-22v, +/-10v, +15, +15) and Burndy pin-out seem to be common knowledge. Looking at a picture of the inside of an XPS (e.g. http://www.acoustica.org.uk/t/naim/powersupplies.html ) it really doesn't look like £2.5k's worth - just a big torroidal transformer, but otherwise standard parts. Not sure what's different about an XPS2.
I was thinking of building one, erring on the side of a bit more over-engineering than used in the real XPS2, but would appreciate any views on the following:
1/Transformers - I have heard that torroidals arn't always the best choice for low-power audio applications because their wide bandwidth lets high-freq mains noise come streaming through. Any views on best choice? I was thinking along the lines of some off-the-shelf non-torroidals, perhaps having to use 2 or 3 separate transformers as its unlikely I'd find enough windings of the right voltages on just one.
2/Rectifiers - I've heard Schottky types are best, but is this simply overkill for this application? (I would need possibly 16!) Would conventional bridge rectifiers be much different?
3/Ordinary cheapo regulators or super-regulators? Would the latter be over-kill, seeing as the CD player re-regulates internally using standard parts? Which rails would most benefit from a super-regulator
4/Electrolytics - how big?
Any tips most gratefully received....